First chance this new season to put my foot directly in my mouth. I really suck at this, but what the hell. There are many ways to look at the new season, new players, and new rules. One prediction already shot to hell with Kim being demoted to AAA. I was absolutely sure Freeland would be sent down after his absolutely awful performance at the plate this spring, so I am in the hole already.
Prediction one: The Dodgers will win between 98 and 104 games. I just believe with the offense they have and the pitching staff and depth, they will simply either bludgeon the opposition or smother their offenses with premium pitching. To me, it seems very unlikely the Dodgers lose more than three games in a row at any point this year.
Prediction two: They win the division by at least 9 games. There isn’t a team in the West with the Dodgers depth in both offense and pitching. Defensively, they will be better with Teo back on the left and Tucker now patrolling the right. Pages has made gigantic strides as a defensive center fielder.
Prediction three: Mookie Betts has a rebound season and one of his better offensive years as a Dodger. He is going to have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs with Ohtani and Tucker hitting in front of him. Also, since he will be in good health from the beginning of the year, I expect him to hit closer to 30 homers than just the 20 he had last year.
Prediction four: Freddie Freeman returns to the ranks of .300 hitters. I honestly believe a healthy Freeman can rise to that level another time. Freddie has a higher BA as a Dodger, .310, than he did as a Brave, .295. I also feel his homer production and RBIs will improve from last season’s numbers. Two injury-plagued and family issue seasons are now behind him. He has looked very good this spring.
Prediction five: The starting rotation will have at least three pitchers with 10 wins or more. Yoshi, Ohtani, Glasnow. Snell will miss significant time, but be nails come playoff time. At some point, River Ryan will contribute important innings during the season. There will be several IL stints among the staff. Diaz will become the first Dodger closer since Jansen to post 30-plus saves.
Prediction six: The Dodgers will lead the National League in home runs, with Betts, Freeman, Smith, Teo, Ohtani, Muncy, Tucker, and Pages all hitting more than 20. Ohtani will not hit 50-plus this year. His presence in the rotation will impact his overall offense. He will still put up big numbers, but his average will dip.
Prediction seven: The Dodgers will need to make a couple of trades at the deadline to either replace an injured player or replace a pitcher who is underperforming. It will be a surprise move to the fans. They will not trade for a big-name player, but for a player who fits the team’s needs.
Prediction eight: Though loved by the fans, Kike will not make a huge impact for the team. He will play somewhat better than last season, when he was injured, but with the entire starting lineup healthy, he will not get much playing time. His postseason impact will be minimal.
Prediction nine. The Dodgers will have a huge target on their back this year. That is a given. Every team will look for a weakness, and if they find one, they will exploit it to the fullest. LA will be facing every team’s best pitching day in and day out. To be the best, they are going to have to beat the best the league can throw at them.
Prediction ten: The Dodgers will come close to threepeating but fall just short. It is hard enough just to make it to the playoffs. Their path to the division is not all that difficult, but the other teams in both leagues, who are contenders, have made improvements, too. LA has the resources to get what it needs but will not go beyond what it believes is a reasonable deal. They will probably make it to the World Series but lose to the American League Champ. They almost lost last time.
10 Fearless Predictions:
1. Shohei Ohtani leads the pitching staff in Ks
2. Tommy Edman bats .300
3. Kyle Hurt is an October bullpen staple
4. Dalton Rushing hits 15+ HR
5. Kim is traded by the All-Star break.
6. Muncy stays healthy all year.
7. Teo hits 30 HR and 100 RBI.
8. Tibbs loses his rookie status.
9. Kelly comes up before Kopp, and Knack doesn’t throw an inning.
10. Dodgers go 11-2 en route to a threepeat
Nice, I don’t think Rushing will come close to 10 homers unless he gets more playing time than I expect. Smith is going to hit 20 plus. In fact, Smith, Muncy, Teo, Freddie, Ohtani, Tucker, Betts and Pages all hit more than 20 bombs. I will go out on a limb and say Yoshi wins his first Cy Young. Ohtani wins his 4th consecutive MVP. Giants lost to the Yankees 7-0, despite Judge going 0-5 with 4 Ks.
Austin Barnes was officially released by the Mets today. Brendan Rodgers released by the Red Sox. He is facing surgery. Yu Darvish was placed on the restricted list by the Padres.
“The back-to-back defending World Series champions will be playing at a new home (at least in name).
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Wednesday that their home field of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, is getting a name change. The new name of the stadium will be UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium”.
“The unexpected name change is part of a new naming rights partnership between the Dodgers and UNIQLO, a Japanese apparel retailer. In a joint release, the Dodgers and UNIQLO stated that the retailer will have “naming displays in various stadium locations including above the batter’s eye in center field, on the facade beneath the press box, and on the grass along the baselines” as part of the agreement”.
I know Chavez Revine was not named for Caesar Chavez , but is there any chance the Dodgers are reacting in part to the recent news? Did they maybe want to do this anyway and the news hurried it up? Or is it totally unrelated?
In the immortal words of Don Ohlmeyer:
The answer to all of your unanswered questions is: money.
I more agree with Bears top ten than Brians.
Ithink Mookie hits 25 or fewer homers,
Dont think Muncy will play more than 120 games,
Edman under .300, Shohi not lead the pitchers in strikeouts.
Teo under 30 and under 100 RBIs
I’m more concerned with the Dodgers losing to either Mets or Phillies whichever one rises to the top.
Teo was on a tear during SP (which doesn’t matter unless you are try to make a point) and is in shape. He will surpass last year by a bunch. Pages will also eclipse last year’s performance. Because of their performance, Tibbs/Erdhard probably won’t get much of a chance. AF will trade Kim if Freeman doesn’t pan out to save embarrassment.
Ohtani will be at his best and he and Yamamoto will split the vote and Pittsburgh will again have the CY winner. If Dodgers make it to the WS, we win. American League teams can’t beat us without banging garbage cans.
From The Athletic:
“For as grand as the team’s offseasons have been lately, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has taken a more modest approach at the trade deadline. When it comes to their player development pipeline, the Dodgers are typically risk-averse. But this is one of the few organizations with a farm system deep enough to swing a major trade — and this summer might be the time to let it rip. With the sport likely headed toward a work stoppage in December, there’s no guarantee baseball’s landscape will remain the same under a new collective bargaining agreement. The Dodgers have capitalized on the current CBA to a historic extent. If Los Angeles finds itself looking to add at the deadline (as all contenders do), a blockbuster trade could be in play.”
Honestly I could see. They paid a premium to get exactly the guys they wanted in Tucker and Diaz. If there’s a perfect option for a hole, expect them to cash in some prospects pieces as the cost.
Skubal or some other ACE, like Skenes?
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell. The long journey to the postseason begins today.
As we embark on the 12th season of this newsletter, there are certain things, like death and taxes, that are guaranteed. Here they are.
—The Dodgers will charge way too much to park in their poorly designed, poorly lit parking lot.
—Shohei Ohtani will have a game where he strikes out 10 and hits multiple home runs. No one will be able to explain how he does this until we learn he was actually sent here by the aliens from “Project Hail Mary.”
—Ohtani will go hitless for three-to-four games in a row and have a bad pitching outing during the same time, leading to some to say he is overpaid.
—Will Smith will catch at least 130 games and be in the conversation for NL MVP.
—The Padres will be better than most are saying and their fans will approach the games with the Dodgers as if it is their World Series.
—The Rockies will be terrible again.
—Teoscar Hernández will continue to struggle as a fielder, but people won’t care as much as his bat will be rejuvenated.
—A pitcher no one has heard of will be signed by the Dodgers off the waiver wire. He will appear in a game and pitch great, maybe even getting the win. The following week, he will be designated for assignment.
—Mookie Betts will win the Gold Glove at short, and while he won’t reach his previous heights at the plate, he will hit better than last season.
—Andy Pages will slump at some point and fans will demand that Ryan Ward, who is hitting .350 with about a million homers in the minors, get a chance. He won’t get a chance and Pages will recover.
—Fans will complain that Joe Davis takes too many games off and isn’t a true Dodger like Vin Scully was, even though Vin took just as many games off for national duties.
—The music at Dodger Stadium will continue to be so loud that even the aliens from “A Quiet Place” will complain. (Editor’s note: Two outer space aliens references in one newsletter. What is wrong with this guy?)
—The most worn former Dodger jersey worn by fans at the stadium will continue to be… Fernando Valenzuela‘s. And it will be for many years to come.
—Max Muncy will look like the worst hitter in baseball for an extended period, then he will hit like Babe Ruth.
—Dalton Rushing will be a decent backup for Smith and will hit well enough that he can spell Freddie Freeman at first base on occasion.
—Freeman will hit .300 again in what will be his last great season at the plate.
—The Dodgers will continue to “give away” games during the season in order to be ready for the postseason. For example, they will allow a reliever to take a beating in a game at the start of long road trip in order to preserve the rest of the bullpen. Some fans will be irate at this, thinking the Dodgers should try to win every game at all costs.
—The Cool-A-Coo will not return to Dodger Stadium and will continue to be missed.
—The Dodgers will continue to call the hot dog they sell a Dodger Dog, even though it tastes nothing like a Farmer John Dodger Dog.
—Only three pitchers will pitch more than 100 innings, but the quality of the staff from top to bottom will be more consistent throughout the season, allowing them to use fewer than 40 pitchers this season.
—Either Blake Treinen or Tanner Scott will continue to pitch poorly, but the Dodgers, again with their eye on the postseason and on how much money they are paying these guys, will continue to trot them out there in hopes they will rebound.
—Some fans will complain about the abhorrent price of going to a Dodger game. They will still go though, and the Dodgers will draw four million, giving them no reason to lower prices.
—Justin Turner will sign a one-day contract with the team and then retire.
—Edwin Díaz will save 30 games and give the bullpen some much-needed stability.
—Kyle Tucker won’t hit as well as hoped, but will be a significant upgrade over Michael Conforto.
—Hyeseong Kim will come up at some point, wow fans with his blazing speed, hit close to .300, and then be sent back down.
—Dave Roberts will have a bad game or two where he makes a decision that seems nonsensical. Some will demand he be fired because “Anyone could manage this team.” Those people will be wrong.
—You will continue to need to subscribe to about a dozen streaming channels to watch all the Dodger games on TV. No one will.
—Yoshinobu Yamamoto will lead the team in victories.
—Organist Dieter Ruehle will continue to find the perfect song for any situation.
—Tyler Glasnow will look unbeatable one start, then get thrown off his next start by a hangnail and pitch like Dave Goltz.
—There will be thrilling victories, agonizing defeats and some boring games. But it will all be worth it as we look around and see all the different types of Dodger fans out there, reminding us that baseball unites us.
—The Dodgers will finish the season 98-64 and cruise to the NL West title. They will not have to play in the wild-card game.
—And that means they will be in the postseason where … anything can happen.
—So, don’t get so worried about the destination that you forget to enjoy the ride.
I miss the Cool-a-Coos. lolz They were amazing.
The only regular season objective for the Dodgers will be to keep the “big 4” starters healthy and ready for October. Better a WS title and 95 wins than 105 wins and no title.
I would not be suprised to see between 98 and 102 wins.
From SI today:
Given that the Arizona Diamondbacks are starting Zac Gallen in their season opener, it stands to reason Freeland will be in the Dodgers lineup at second base. However, the Dodgers should consider a wrinkle to their platoon plan.
Let Miguel Rojas start on Opening Day
Given that Miguel Rojas is entering the final season of his career, it would be fitting for the veteran to start at second base. Especially when also taking into account how Rojas endeared himself to the fanbase with his home run in Game 7 of the World Series.
Being part of the lineup introductions will make for a tremendous moment between Rojas and the expected capacity crowd at Dodger Stadium.
Keith Law:
This division forecast is boring. I’m sorry. The Dodgers are obviously stacked, and they’re going to win a lot of games, and unless they suffer multiple significant injuries they’re going to win this division. They gilded the lily by signing Kyle Tucker. I wonder if top 100 prospect Alex Freeland will usurp World Series hero Miguel Rojas and end up with the majority of playing time at second base. I have nothing else interesting to say here.
… and he picks Seattle to beat the Dodgers in the World Series!
BOOOOO!
With the balanced schedule now in place and less games against teams like the Rockies, the Dodgers waltz thru the NL West with under 100 wins and winning the Division by 9 or more games by slow walking the season for health reasons and to get ready for the October tournament. Their biggest competition in the National League are the Cubs and Mets.
I think the D’Backs will be our biggest danger in the NL West. Especially second half.
Is anyone from this group going to Opening Day?
Be great to meet up and toast to our back to back champs!
All good predictions! Maybe I can add a few.
(1) dodgers win 99 games
(2) Ohtani hits 42 homers
(3) trienan is released in June
(4) tanner scott has an era of 3.25
(5) Yamamoto wins 16 games
(6) Blake snell throws a no hitter in August
(7) Mookie bats .288
(8). Freddie bats .290
(9) Teo hits 34 homers
(10) second base is the only non productive position on the team
(11) River Ryan gets the call in may
(12). Will and Dalton combine for 35 homers (23 for Will)
(13) Kyle Tucker. 26, 88 and a .280 average
(14) Andy Pages wins a silver slugger award
(15). Dodgers have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
(16). Finally, Dave Roberts wins his fourth championship as dodgers manager and retires from managing and moves into the tv booth!
IT’S ABOUT TIME WE GOT RID OF THAT MORON!
I mean, he only has the best record in baseball as a manager. Anyone can do that!
And they couldn’t vote him Manager of the Year which he truly deserved. Managing all those star egos and young hard charging pheons cannot be easy.
Tonight’s game is on Peacock. MLB has gone a little too far farming out these games to all of these streaming services. For what they charge MLB.TV customers, every damn game should be available on that service.
The game is on here in Connecticut free on NBC tonight,not Peacock.
26-man is set. No surprises there. The rosters for the four affiliates are set too. OKC is carrying three outfielders, but several of the infielders on the roster can also play the outfield. They are also carrying four catchers. Tulsa has eight outfielders listed on the roster. That list includes Erhard, Tibbs III, DePaula and Hope. OKC is also carrying David Bote, who was sent down after spring training last season and never reported. He is on the restricted list.
OK, here I go:
1. Michael Tucker will have a disappointing inaugural season with LA, but he will still be a huge upgrade over Michael Conforto.
2. Blake Snell and Bobby Miller will miss the season.
3. River Ryan and Gavin Stone will stabilize the rotation.
4. The Dodgers will trade DePaula, Hope, Kim, Serwinowski, and Ferris to the Pirates for Paul Skenes at the trade deadline.
5. Alex Freeland will take over full-time at 2B after Miggy Ro suffers a season-ending injury and will put up a .710 OPS.
6. Edwin Diaz will save 44 games.
7. Freddie Freeman will hit 40 doubles and 30 HR while batting .302.
8. Will Smith and Dalton Rushing will combine for 44 HR.
9. Max Muncy will hit 41 HR.
10. Andy Pages will be the All-Star CF.
11. The Dodgers will beat the Blue Jays again in the World Series.
You can NEVER can figure out this crazy game of baseball. 2025 Cy Young winner Paul Skenes is out of game today against the Mets after 2/3 of an inning giving up 5 runs to the Mets.All 5 runs were earned.